By Abdul Jabbar | Bouncer News
Canada’s newly appointed fentanyl czar, Kevin Brosseau, has pledged to bring a renewed urgency to the fight against the deadly opioid crisis affecting both Canada and the United States.
Speaking on Wednesday, a day after his appointment, Brosseau emphasized his commitment to ensuring strong collaboration between officials on both sides of the border and within Canadian communities to curb fentanyl trafficking.
“I intend to bring an intensity to this battle,” Brosseau stated while touring a border checkpoint near Lansdowne, Ontario, alongside Public Safety Minister David McGuinty. “Thousands of dedicated men and women are working tirelessly to address this public safety and national security crisis, and my job is to make sure our efforts are as effective as possible.”
Brosseau, a former high-ranking RCMP officer and a former deputy national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister, takes on this role at a critical time. His appointment comes as Canada responds to pressure from the United States, particularly from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods over concerns about fentanyl smuggling. While Trump has postponed these tariffs until at least March 4 in exchange for security commitments, the situation remains tense.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, only 19 kilograms of fentanyl were seized at the northern border between October 2023 and September 2024—less than one percent of all fentanyl intercepted by U.S. border agents during that period. However, given that just 0.2 grams of fentanyl can be fatal, even small quantities pose a significant risk.
Brosseau made it clear that his objective is to eliminate fentanyl smuggling altogether.
“Our goal must be to bring that number to zero,” he declared. “Fentanyl is a scourge, and we must do everything in our power to eradicate its presence in our communities.”
He also highlighted his intention to engage directly with U.S. officials, stating that he had already spoken with Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, to arrange meetings in Washington, D.C., as soon as possible.
Public Safety Minister McGuinty, standing alongside Brosseau, stressed the importance of a measured approach as Canada works to avoid a costly trade conflict with the U.S.
“Every day, 400,000 people cross our shared border, and our trade amounts to $3.25 billion daily,” McGuinty said. “A trade war would hurt both nations. There’s a way to move forward together.”
He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to bolstering border security, pointing to the $1.5 billion investment announced in December to strengthen anti-smuggling efforts. Part of this strategy includes classifying drug cartels as terrorist organizations, though McGuinty did not specify when that designation would take effect.
“We will continue to work in good faith and make progress,” he assured.
Brosseau’s appointment signals Canada’s determination to combat the fentanyl crisis while maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties with the U.S. As pressure mounts, all eyes will be on how effectively Canada’s new fentanyl czar delivers on his promise.